72. Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast: How to Build a Thriving Workplace with Andrea Wanerstrand (Culture Lab)

Mission First People Always's podcast

We’ve all heard Peter Drucker’s famous quote, "Culture eats strategy for breakfast." But what does it really take to build a workplace culture that drives both people and performance? In this episode of Mission First People Always, Dr. Mike Patterson sits down with culture expert Andrea Wanerstrand to uncover the key elements of creating a thriving, human-centric workplace.

Dr. Mike welcomes Andrea Wanerstrand, Founder & CEO of A3 CultureLab, a leadership speaker, coach, and consultant who helps organizations—from startups to Fortune 500 companies—design extraordinary workplace cultures. With a background in global performance management at companies like Microsoft and T-Mobile, Andrea shares insights on fostering a workplace where people feel valued, autonomous, and accountable.

Andrea breaks down what it means to have a human-centric workplace, emphasizing the importance of how work gets done, how leaders make others feel, and how trust is built. She explains that culture isn't just about perks or policies—it’s about how people interact, communicate, and show up every day.

Throughout the conversation, Andrea offers practical advice for leaders, including how to balance empathy with authority, create autonomous teams, and encourage a culture of accountability without fear. She also shares details about her upcoming coaching program, Mindset Maven, designed to help high-achievers develop mental and physical resilience.

Key Takeaways:

• Culture is about the "how," not just the "what"—how work is done, how people feel, and how trust is built.
• Human-centric leadership requires balancing empathy with authority to foster both people and performance.
• Autonomous teams thrive on accountability—leaders must set expectations, provide trust, and encourage transparency.
• Accountability isn’t a bad word—it’s about taking ownership, getting credit for success, and learning from setbacks.
• Your energy affects your leadership—Andrea recommends an energy audit to identify when you’re at your best and schedule key conversations accordingly.

Andrea Wanerstrand’s insights remind us that leadership is about creating environments where people can thrive. Whether you’re a new manager or a seasoned executive, understanding and shaping culture is key to long-term success. Hit play to hear the full episode and learn how to build a workplace culture that supports both people and performance!

Links for This Episode:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawanerstrand
• Company Website: http://a3culturelab.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreawanerstrand

Connect with Dr. Mike:

• Website: https://www.drmikepatterson.com
• Book: https://www.missionfirstpeoplealwaysbook.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichaellpatterson
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealdrmikepatterson
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/drmikepatterson
• Buy The Book!: Mission First People Always

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 - Welcome and Introduction to the Episode
• 02:00 - Why Culture is the Driving Force Behind Organizational Success
• 04:02 - Defining Workplace Culture: The “How” Behind Every Organization
• 06:00 - Why Leaders Struggle to Build Healthy Cultures
• 08:06 - The Role of Emotional Awareness in Leadership
• 10:34 - The Shift from Individual Contributor to Leadership: What Changes?
• 12:48 - How to Build an Autonomous Team and Why It Matters
• 15:17 - Balancing Empathy and Authority as a Leader
• 18:00 - Overcoming Barriers to Authenticity at Work
• 21:09 - Why Accountability is Not a Negative Word (And How to Use It Effectively)
• 24:36 - The Importance of Psychological Safety in Workplace Culture
• 26:00 - What It Means to Have a Human-Centric Workplace
• 28:25 - Introducing Mindset Maven: Andrea’s New Leadership Coaching Program
• 30:14 - Andrea’s One Key Piece of Advice for Leaders
• 32:00 - Final Thoughts and How to Connect with Andrea